Ben Whittaker Steamrolls Richard Rivera In Explosive U.S. Debut

British light heavyweight Ben Whittaker improved to 12-0-1 (9 KOs) with a dominant stoppage of Richard 'Popeye' Rivera (27-3) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 27, 2026. Whittaker knocked Rivera down in the first round and finished the fight just 27 seconds into the second round with a second knockdown, prompting referee Michael Griffin to wave off the contest. The impressive U.S. debut showcased Whittaker's speed, timing, and precision against the more experienced Rivera.